PALM worker dies in Aust, family demands answers on ‘systemic abuse’

A family that resides in Tau Village Nadroga plan’s to stage a 50th birthday celebration for their father is now dashed.

This comes after their daughter, Christine Lewailagi, 24, died under controversial circumstances in June.

She worked under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme in Melbourne, Australia.

Her parents, Sairusi Nadiligo and Sainimere Tabua of Nadroga, are seeking answers as to what transpired that caused their daughter’s death.

“We are searching for answers and seeking justice for her death,” Ms Tabua said fighting back tears when approached by this masthead yesterday.

Like many Fijians under seasonal work abroad, Ms Lewailagi left Fiji in May, 2022, to help support her family financially.

Ms Tabua said her daughter worked as slaughterhouse assistant for Midfield Meat Group in Victoria, under the PALM Scheme Visa 403.

She claimed her daughter was a victim of “systemic abuse and modern-day slavery” that many Pacific Islands workers endure in seasonal work.

“She would call every day to express how she felt she had been mistreated in Australia,” Ms Tabua continued.

“At times she would relate how she was treated in a day by her employer, often she would say she was treated in a cruel manner at work. She said that in a day, she would be tasked to take care of 5000 to 6000 sheep alone saying it was a huge task which she couldn’t carry out alone.

“She worked and lived in a foreign land where her right to safety was not recognised.

“One day she said she talked back to her supervisor asking if she could take rest telling them she was not a machine and she was only human. She said she was not allowed to have time-off, instead her employer have her work alone.”

Modern day slavery claim

While Ms Lewailagi’s parents are looking for answers over the untimely death of their daughter, a close family friend and Australian Ross Johnston labelled her demise as a result of “modern day slavery”.

“It looks like a modern-day slavery. Most workers under the scheme are too afraid to speak out for themselves because they have no right. Modern-day slavery best suits the kind of treatment they get, most of the Fijian workers spoke out when my Facebook post went viral saying that they are going through the same treatment.”

Mr Johnston always visited Ms Lewailagi’s family whenever he came to Fiji. He considered Christine as his granddaughter. He lives in Camberwell, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria. He said Ms Lewailagi would visit him during her weekend breaks.

“It offered her a brief escape from the harsh realities of her job, but she rarely voiced her struggles, possibly out of a sense of obligation or fear of jeopardising the job that supported her family. When I went to Warrnambool to collect Christine’s belongings, I spoke to her co-workers,” Mr Johnston said.

“Their revelations were shocking and heartbreaking. Christine’s death not only left me mourning the loss of a granddaughter, but also exposed a larger, grim reality about the mistreatment of Pacific Islands workers in Australia and the severe toll it takes on their lives and families.

“Most of workers have to pay more than $1000 to access medical care which is an unfair treatment because workers from countries such as Fiji enter Australia on the PALM Visa 403 with the hope of earning enough to support their families back home.

“However, they often encounter conditions that amount to modern-day slavery. Many Fijian workers I’ve talked to have reported persistent bullying and racism. They are frequently given the toughest, most physically demanding jobs – tasks that would normally require two or three people, but are expected to complete them on their own.”

Yesterday Mr Johnston claimed that he received threats about posting the issue on Facebook.

What transpired and cause of death

On June 17, the Ministry of Employment, Productivity, and Workplace Relations received a report from Australia’s Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) that Ms Lewailagi had a headache a week before and was hospitalised for evaluation.

That weekend, she was moved to Austin Hospital in Melbourne for further evaluation and had two surgeries for a brain tumour. The report noted that she was on life support and her recovery was uncertain.

Minister for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations Agni Deo Singh said employment conditions and issues highlighted in the social media were being looked at with deep concerns through the country liaison officer based in Victoria to ensure that the issues highlighted were addressed accordingly. Mr Singh said the ministry was aware of the case which was recently posted on Facebook, relating to a former Pacific Australian Labour Mobility workers.

“The Fiji Government, through the Employment Ministry, will be visiting our PALM workers in October to meet with our Australian counterparts, employers and Fijian workers under the scheme to discuss issues faced by our workers such as racism and bullying, workloads, exploitation, threats, unsafe practices, unfair termination, forced labour,” Mr Singh said.

“The ministry will strengthen its collaboration with Australian authorities and employers for better oversight mechanisms and ensure compliance with fair labour practices. This will involve regular workplace inspections and audits, and a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of exploitation or mistreatment.”

Ms Lewailagi’s death certificate stated she died from meningioma, a tumour in the layers of tissue that protect her brain and spinal cord.

Catanasiga: Human rights violation

Fiji Council of Social Services executive director Vani Catanasiga said the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission could significantly contribute to the efforts of the National Employment Centre in this context.

“FCOSS has been highlighting the perils of the Vuvale partnership since day one. This case indicts authorities on both sides of this partnership for failing to monitor and ensure the welfare of the workers participating in this scheme,” Ms Catanasiga said.

“As a global leader in human rights, Australia was expected to protect Fijian workers who supported its industries and economy.

“Despite Australia’s financial support for various human rights initiatives in Fiji, ranging from combating violence against women to child protection, Fijian workers often face exploitation and abuse upon arriving at farms and abattoirs in Australia,” she said.

Australian High Commission in Suva

The Australian High Commission in Fiji has confirmed that the Australian government is aware of the allegations posted on Facebook and LinkedIn on August 18, concerning Ms Lewailagi.

The Commission said the Australian government would take all allegations of worker mistreatment seriously and would conduct prompt investigations.

Feedback: sosiveta.korobiau@fijisun.com.fj